Candleholder



y 1949. c. D. GILMORE 2,469,163

CANDLE HOLDER Filed July 16, 1947 IN VENT0R. EhBEE D -fillmure,

Patented May 3, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CANDLEHOLDER Chace D. Gilmore, West Chester, Pa. Application July 16, 1947, Serial N 0. 761,243

1 Claim. 1

The invention relates to candle holders, and more particularly to a candle holder shaped to resemble a candle and of a size considerably larger than the candle which is included therein. The candle holder is provided with means for urging the candle to the upper portion of the holder so that the entire candle may be consumed.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a candle holder which is ornamental in appearance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and simple in operation.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing and the following detail description in which is set forth a specific embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved candle holder showing the tip of a candle projecting therefrom;

Figure 2 is a central vertical section through the candle holder, the candle being shown in elevation;

Figure 3 is a detail view of the spring-pressed candle advancing means or pusher;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a tapered base with which the candle holder may be equipped;

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a section on line 66 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral I 0 denotes a hollow tubular holder or housing which may be of the size and shape of a large size candle and is preferably considerably larger than the candle which is to be housed therein. The housing may be of metal, non-inflammable plastic, or other suitable material. The holder is tapered at its upper portion I I and has a reduced opening I 2 at the top to permit the tip of the candle to project therefrom. The housing has an opening l3 at the base to permit insertion of a candle I4, the tapered tip of which projects above the holder, but blends with the taper of the holder so as to give the appearance of a much larger candle.

The candle is constantly urged into its uppermost position by spring-pressed candle advancing means or pusher l6 which as shown is provided with a tapered wall to permit it to extend into the upper tapered portion of the holder when the candle is nearly consumed. The pusher I6 is provided with a seat I1 at the upper portion ;hereof for receiving the lower end of the candle and at its opposite end is provided with a reduced extension l8 about which the upper end of a coil spring 20 is passed, so that the spring may abut a shoulder I9 at the junction of the extension I8 and tapered wall of the candle holder. The spring 20 constantly urges the pusher member and candle upwardly as the candle burns, and its other end engages and is preferably secured to a shoulder 2| on a closure plug 22 which fits into the open lower end of the hollow holder Ill. Closure plug 22 may be releasably held by any suitable means, as for example by spring-pressed balls 23 co-acting with apertures 24 in the lower portion of the holder adjacent the opening I3 thereof.

In order that the lower end of the holder may fit into a tapered socket of a candle stick a base 25 of a size and shape to co-act with the interior of the candle stick (not shown) may be provided. As shown, the base is of inverted frusto-conical form. The base is preferably formed of resilient material, for example metal, and may be split along one side as at 26 and partially split along lines 21, 2'! so as to add to the resilience of the base. The base 25 is provided with a limiting flange 28 at the top which prevents the base from extending too far into the socket. A base of any suitable size may be employed designed to fit any particular type of candle stick.

The operation of the device will be apparent from the foregoing description. The candle I4, of considerably smaller size than the holder, is first inserted in the housing III, with the pusher I6 engaging the lower end thereof, and after the spring has been properly inserted in the rear end of the housing the plug 22 is inserted and turned until the spring-pressed balls 23 are engaged in the apertures 24 in the holder. The base 25 may be applied from either end of the candle and the entire assembly may then be inserted in a suitable candle stick having an opening of the size and shape adapted to receive the tapered base 25. The tip I5 of the candle always projects beyond the holder and its wick is constantly accessible for lighting purposes. As the candle burns it is continuously moved upwardly by the spring 20, but until the candle is entirely consumed the assembly gives the appearance of a full sized candle.

It will be obvious that numerous modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

A candle holder consisting of a hollow tubular housing made of non-inflammable material and adapted to receive and wholly enclose and conceal a wax candle except for the upper tip there- 3 of; said housing having a tapered upper end with a central openingfor the upper tip of the candle so that the candle wick may project outside of the housing; the tapering of the upper end being sufiicient to form abutment surfaces for the upper end of the candle; a candle pusher provided with a seat at its upper end to receive the lower end of the candle, said pusher being received within and freely slidable inside the housing; -.-said .pusher having tapered :siide walks so that fmezy be ceived within the tapered upper end of the house 1 ing when the candle is almost completely con sumed; a coil spring within the housing below the pusher; means to connect the coil sprirfi'wifih the pusher so that the pusher is moved upward-l3 thereby; a closure plug adapted to erm ne-inner end of the housing; and means to hold the closure plug within the lower end of the housing by friction; the upper end of the closure plug providing an abutment for the lower end of the coil spring.

CHACE D. GILMORE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the the W this patent: v

"drift-ED STATES Pii'TEN'Is Number Name Date 566,755 Green et a1. Sept. 1, 1896 893,314 Baumer Dec. 5, 1905 flting Jan. 31, 1911 raga-eat Hogs Aug. 22, 1933 

